The world will never forget the wonderful heritage left by this genius who died at thirty-two leaving vast quantities of great works. Besides creating new forms in song he also gave the pianists pieces that were new and important. He left no concertos, nor did he write for solo violin, but his piano sonatas and chamber music are of value. _Der Erl-Koenig_ (_The Erl King_), _Der Doppelganger_ (_The Shadow_), and _Death and the Maiden_, all sounded the last note in tragedy, and he also wrote many lovely songs in lighter mood. THE WELL FAVORED MENDELSSOHN Most masters who have left the world richer for having lived, were born in poverty and knew the sorrows of privation, not so with Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809–1847), loved by the many who have played his _Songs Without Words_, or who have heard Elman’s fingers fly over his violin in the concerto, said to be the best writing ever done for that instrument. Popular as are many works from the polished and fluent pen of Mendelssohn, the oratorios _Elijah_ and _Saint Paul_ are noble for these contain some of the most dramatic and inspired writing. In that work which is typical of Mendelssohn and his personality, he showed more characteristics of the older classical school than of the romantic. If he had lived during the classical period he would have been a greater composer, for he was romantic by influence and classic in taste. Has not the _Spring Song_ the shimmer of spring and the _Spinning Song_ the whir of the wheels? One can easily imagine the kindly touch of a loving hand in _Consolation_, while the _Hunting Song_ is alive and going. This is the romantic music that became the model for thousands of small pieces. It in said frequently that if Mendelssohn had been less conventional, his work would have been more forceful, because he had much that was truly fine. Mendelssohn lived among the most brilliant literary lights of his day. His refinement was reflected in his music. He was petted by an adoring father, mother and sisters, who gave him every opportunity to study and compose, and he was much sought after socially. He devoted much time to the study of languages, sketching in water colors and traveling in Italy and Switzerland. His sister Fanny, whose musical education was of the utmost assistance to her brother whom she idolized, would have been famous but for her father’s prejudice against women in professional life. She was a gifted composer and it is claimed that she wrote many of her brother’s songs and some of the _Songs Without Words_. Her death was a mortal blow from which Mendelssohn never recovered. Extremely sensitive, his affection for his family was most intense and filled his life. His grandfather was the eminent philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, who being a Hebrew, was open to the sorrows caused by prejudice. He was such a great man, however, that he succeeded in breaking down barriers not only for himself, but for his race.